Change Touch Keyboard Layout in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change the touch keyboard layout for your account in Windows 11.

Windows 11 includes a touch keyboard you can click/tap on to enter text. This can be handy if you have a PC with a touchscreen without a physical keyboard.

There are four different layouts you can use when inputting text with the touch keyboard. Select the keyboard settings icon in the upper-left corner of the touch keyboard to view and switch between options.

Select the icons just below the layout options to dock and undock your keyboard. This allows you to keep it in a stationary position or move it to a different place on your screen to best fit your workstyle.

Starting with Windows 11 build 25179 and now for all in Windows 11 build 25197, Microsoft has changed the key repeat rate to 20 keys per second for the default and traditional touch keyboard layout so it feels more responsive.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.3624 (24H2), the Gamepad keyboard layout is now available for the touch keyboard in Windows 11. This includes button accelerators (e.g., X button for backspace, Y button for spacebar). Additionally, the keyboard keys have been vertically aligned to improve controller navigation patterns.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26200.5641 (Dev 24H2) and build 26120.4250 (Beta 24H2), the Gamepad layout of the Windows touch keyboard has been updated with enhanced controller navigation and improved focus handling for child keys, flyout menus, word suggestions, language switching, settings, and more. Microsoft has designed a new Gamepad keyboard, optimized for gaming, to support PIN sign-in on the Windows lock screen. It features controller shortcuts for quick PIN entry, along with full controller navigation for users who prefer not to use shortcuts.

Keyboard Layout	Description
Default	This layout is optimized for touchscreen typing. It has larger keys and some keys have been removed to make it easier to type.
Split	This layout splits the keyboard so that one half of it is near the left edge of the screen and the other is on the right. This makes it easier to type when holding a touchscreen PC with two hands. (Not available in all languages)
Small	This layout is compact keyboard that can be moved anywhere on your screen. (Not available in all languages)
Traditional	This layout most replicates a standard external keyboard. It has all the functions and includes an expanded selection of keys.
Handwriting panel	Use this to enter text with a pen or your finger.
12-key layout (Japanese only)	A keyboard layout for Japanese characters that places keys in a 3x4 grid.
50-on layout (Japanese only)	A keyboard layout for Japanese characters that places keys in a grid with 5 rows. Makes it easier for Japanese speakers to find a specific Hiragana character.

EXAMPLE: Touch keyboard layouts

Here's How:

1 Open the Touch Keyboard.

2 Click tap on the Settings (gear) icon in the upper-left corner of the touch keyboard. (see screenshot below)

3 Perform one of the following actions to select the touch keyboard layout you want: